N3 Payakumbuh – The presence of Bridge
Ratapan Ibu located on Sudirman street Payakumbuh which was built in 1818 of 40
meters length with ancient architecture in the form of semicircular stone
circle that is glued with lime and cement without using iron bone.
As one of the historical icon of
struggle for Dutch colonization in Payakumbuh, unfortunately at present time, the bridge’s condition
is very poor and not well maintained. This is evident from the many creeping
plants that hung on the water pipeline attached to the bridge.
Worse yet, on the western edge of
the bridge grew banyan trees (Ficus Benjamina)
as high as about one meter more. In the worry of this banyan grows bigger then
the roots will penetrate and destroy this historic bridge.
Ir. Mulyadi Karo Karo, Lecturer
and Chairman of Plantation Management Program at the State Agricultural
Polytechnic Payakumbuh when confirmed by www.nusantaranews.net
about banyan plants at the campus
Polytechnic Tanjung Pati (20/10) said, the existence of this banyan tree is
very risky to the structure of the Bridge Ratapan Ibu.
"At the tip of the root
there is a calyptra (root hood) that serves to protect the roots from
mechanical damage when it penetrates the soil and rocks for nutrients. When the
calyptra encounters obstacles such as rocks or walls then calyptra will release
enzymes such as acidic liquids that can destroy the structure of the walls that
block the development of roots, "he explained.
"If calyptra has entered
into the gap and the gap is filled with water then gradually the roots will
grow and develop and continue to push and damage the surrounding features that
will cause a major crack in the bridge structure", continued Ir. Mulyadi
Observer of Luak Limopuluah Mr. Yudilfan
Habib Dt. Monty deeply regretted the lack of authority concerns related to the
preservation of the assets of this historic site. " "If this is
outlined then the Bridge Ratapan Ibu will be broken and destroyed slowly”, said
Engku Syntal as known. (Rahmat Sitepu)